Shelter dog show's aggression towards my husband and men??

Question

We just adopted a wonderful female shepard mix whom is 6yrs old. She is wonderful with our children and others. She growls, barks and tries (had her on a leash) to attack my husband. I was taking her potty outside and she acted the same way towards my neighbor. Both men are over 6' and have shaved hair. I am not sure what to do!! Should I take her back to the shelter in the morning? My husband cannot even walk past her crate with out her growling.

Answer 1

Clearly your new pup has issues with either men, tall men or men with other specific physical traits.

Please visit www.apdt.com and search for a trainer in your area, specifically one who is experienced in dealing with aggression issues.  Poor pup obviously has a past but in most cases this can be overcome.  The key is going to be to follow your trainer's advice and to be *consistent* with what she asks you to do.  Absolutely you can change the meaning of your husband (or other men) when it comes to your new dog.  And a lot of people at APDT are wonderful at doing this using positive reinforcement based techniques.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would take her back.  This is the problem with adopting dogs from unknown backgrounds.  It is hit or miss whether the dog will be a suitable pet.  You never know the true reason why they were taken to the shelter in the first place.  This dog could seriously hurt someone.

Answer 3

You should always introduce a shelter dog to everyone it will have to live with before you take it home. I don't think it is safe to trust her with those children.

Answer 4

go to cesarmillaninc.com immediately see if theyre looking for cases also watch the show on national geographic channel dog whisperer it will help a lot. whatever you do dont take the dog back.  

Answer 5

aww poor baby...shes probobly been abused that is the case with alot of sheltered dogs....PLEASE dont take her back to the shelter!!!! just try and get her comfortable around men if they give her treats etc. she will learn to like them. or you could call some dog traning show(not like that would happen) but stil at least attempt to train her

Answer 6

well your dog probobly was abused by men. there really isnt anything you can do but you can have a pro come over and fix the problem like the tv show its me or the dog

Answer 7

Your husband will just have to be patient with her.  Obviously there is some association with aggression and males for the dog.  Have him give her treats for a while.  It will soften her and let her know he isn't trying to hurt her.  Let him be the one to feed her as well.  Make sure the dogs needs are coming from him so she can learn to trust him.  

Answer 8

It sounds like she may have been abused or mistreated by someone who fits the same profile as your husband.  Unless you can devote some serious time and money into training and hiring a professional behaviorist, I would take her back to the shelter.  And make SURE that the shelter staff knows about her issue before they adopt her out again.

Answer 9

Many things your hubbie can try to do.  Let him be the one that feeds her, puts food and water in her bowls.  It does sound like she is aggressive towrds men.  Dogs respond differently to those with low voices.  Some take it as that person is the alpha, but mistreatment from a male with a low voice, can cause her to hate all like that.  It's true about the voice, with cats' its vice versa, they go for higher voices.  Remember that it will take time.  I have had to handle soooooooo many aggresive dogs.  It always takes a little while.  I give the food, and I kiss *ss a lot, and the dog always ends up noticing that I am not a bad person and ends up being cool, letting me hold it and pet it, people always freeak out, but anyways, just have him interact with her but with a barrier at first, but do it everyday, and you will start to notice change in attitude...

Answer 10

Your dog probably had been abused by a man before. We adopted a dog that was the same way.  You should try having your husband be the main one to interact with her. Have him feed her, walk her, giver her treats, etc.  You take a step back for now. That way she will view him as her pack leader.  We did this with our dog and now she just worships my husband.  Good luck!